Discussing Ragtime : What Is It?
Ragtime guitar is a fingerpicking style that adapts the syncopated rhythms of piano ragtime to the guitar. It features alternating bass patterns and offbeat accents, creating a lively, dance-like sound.
This style requires precise picking and emphasizes syncopation, often using simple chord progressions to highlight rhythmic complexity.
Ragtime Chord Progressions - What is A Turnaround ?
In this brief ragtime blues guitar lesson, I take a glance at the ragtime chords often played in between verses in a standard ragtime tune. When starting to learn blues guitar chords, it's important to be conscious of the techniques that give this great music it's particular flavor.
In the early 1900s, a style of guitar playing made well known by travelling medicine shows became known as 'ragtime blues', or usually it was named 'Piedmont Blues'.
The bouncy, joyful sound contrasted considerably with the slower, more sombrefeeling of the delta blues, which was generally performed in E, A or open tuning.
Guitar Chords That Make The Ragtime Style
Ragtime guitar pieces, whose words were typically barely disguised sexual references, were performed really effectively by some performers, notably Blind Blake, Reverend Gary Davis (who could perform in any style), Pink Anderson, Sam Chatmon, Blind Willie McTell, Hacksaw Harney and Blind Boy Fuller. Various performers, like Big Bill Broonzy, touched on the ragtime feel, but had a significantly broader range.
Often these tunes were performed in the keys of C, G and D, which lend themselves to the alternating bass picking structure common in this music. As you pay attention to a ragtime song, a couple of things may possibly strike you.
First of all, they tended to play at a great pace, which is typically testimony to the skill and precision of the players. Secondly, there are typical structural elements connecting tunes in a similar key, which is not too astonishing.
One of these elements I call the 'turnaround' - that short progression of chords that is performed between two verses. It supplies breathing space between separate sets of words, offering space, creating tension and additionally offering a chance for the guitarist to present his skills.
below demonstrates ragtime guitar chords used for the turnaround
Ragtime Blues Guitar Chords - Turnaround In A Ragtime Tune For The Key Of C
A video replaces a 1000 phrases of explanation, but I'll quickly go through the chords here (the video below should put the icing on the cake.) You may just strum these chords before trying the picking sample I perform for you later on.
Once ending a verse, we start the turnaround part with a standard C chord. As you will see, I don't fret the first bass string - my reasoning is (almost) every time 'if you don't pluck the string with your picking hand, don't fret it with your left!' This will get clearer in the video.
After that we move on to F. Remember - if I'm solely plucking the last 4 strings, then I won't bother fretting the others. This permits for more pace and flexibility, but we want to ensure that our right hand palm retains contact with the strings that are not fretted. If not, these strings may vibrate and generate unpleasant discordant noises.
Click To See Previews Of My Acoustic Blues Guitar Course
One Style Tip from Jim
It's fairly rare for me to play a full F chord. Usually I'll not fret the 2nd bass string and fret the bass E with my thumb. This configuration frees up the small finger of my fretting hand to move around on the treble strings.
Next we use a cheeky little chord that usually figures in ragtime progressions - Ab7. Here once more, the full chord includes the bass E fretted on the second fret with the thumb.
As I'm not plucking that
particular string with my picking hand, guess what? That's correct -
you're getting it now ...
Hold down Ab7 with your fore finger
barring the first four strings, and your ring (or little) finger, to
fret the high E on the 2nd fret.
The Complete Blues Chord Sequence - Blues in C
Practically there - not challenging at all is it? One more chord to complete the turnaround.
Immediately after the Ab7 chord we move back to the simple C chord and then to G to finish off the sequence. The entire chord sequence is as follows C-C7-F-Ab7-C-G , moving again to C once we start out singing the following verse.
These are typical ragtime guitar chords found in many songs of this genre.
This basic chord structure holds many possibilities, and we look at a few of these in the video clip underneath the text. This quick lesson features Blind Boy Fuller's traditional song 'Truckin' Little Baby' to illustrate just one way of playing this turnaround in the key of C.
There are many variations of this piece played by various guitarists, who use similar picking patterns. When starting to learn how to play blues, it's excellent to be conscious of the terrific subtleties these artists left us, and pay homage to their genius and way of living.
Play around with the structure, add it to your own personal collection of tricks and incorporate it into your playing - enjoy
Reverend Gary Davis: The Greatest Ragtime Guitar Player
Reverend Gary Davis, also known as Blind Gary Davis, is often regarded as the greatest ragtime guitar player of all time. Born in 1896 in South Carolina, Davis was almost completely blind from infancy.
His virtuosic fingerpicking technique, which utilized only one of his fingers to create complex melody lines and alternate bass patterns, set him apart in the world of ragtime music. Davis's ability to play ragtime on the guitar was unparalleled, seamlessly blending ragtime progression with gospel and blues influences.
His most famous songs include "Death Don't Have No Mercy," "Samson and Delilah," and "Twelve Gates to the City." These pieces showcase his intricate ragtime style and his skill in creating a polyphonic sound with just a few notes.
Davis's influence extended beyond his own performances; he was a mentor to many musicians, including those who would later share his techniques on platforms like YouTube.
Davis's contributions to ragtime music have been widely recognized and celebrated. His piece "Ragtime Ramble" remains a staple for those discussing ragtime guitar. Richard Saslow, another notable figure in the genre, often cited Davis as a major influence. Saslow's works, such as "Saslow Ragtime," continue to posthumously honor Davis's legacy.
Davis's music has been featured in numerous public performances and recordings, making it accessible to a broad audience. His acoustic guitar playing, characterized by its jazz-like improvisation and rhythmic complexity, continues to inspire guitarists worldwide.
For those looking to delve deeper into his techniques, Richard Saslow's instructional books and YouTube tutorials are invaluable resources.
In the UK, Davis's influence can be seen in the works of many contemporary musicians who have adopted his ragtime style. His music remains a testament to the rich cultural heritage of American ragtime music, and his legacy endures through the countless guitarists who continue to join the tradition he helped to shape.
Ragtime Related Questions
Is ragtime guitar hard to play?
Ragtime guitar is considered challenging due to its intricate fingerpicking patterns, syncopated rhythms, and the need for precise coordination between the bass and melody lines. It requires significant practice to master the alternating bass technique and to develop the finger independence necessary for playing complex ragtime pieces.
Who is the king of ragtime guitar?
Blind Blake, also known as Arthur Blake, is widely regarded as the "King of Ragtime Guitar." His virtuosic playing and innovative techniques set the standard for ragtime guitar. Blake's intricate fingerpicking style and syncopated rhythms have influenced countless musicians and solidified his legacy in the genre.
Is ragtime a jazz or blues?
Ragtime is primarily a precursor to jazz, characterized by its syncopated rhythms and lively melodies. While it shares some elements with blues, such as the use of improvisation and certain chord progressions, ragtime is distinct in its structured, piano-based origins and its role in the development of early jazz music.
What is the ragtime music scale?
Ragtime music doesn't adhere to a specific scale but often utilizes major scales and diatonic harmony. The melodies are typically built around common chord progressions, with a strong emphasis on syncopation and rhythmic variation. The use of chromatic passing notes and embellishments is also common in ragtime compositions.